Michiana Adventist Forum

“The Christianization of the Sabbath in Colossians” – Harold Weiss

Date: May 19, 2007

Speaker: Dr. Harold Weiss

Position: Professor of Religion Emeritus, St. Mary’s College, South Bend , IN

Topic: The Christianization of the Sabbath in Colossians”

Venue: Chan Shun Hall

Attendance: 43

Presentation: Colossians must be examined within the syncretistic & diverse setting of 1st century Judaism and Christianity. Focusing on Col. 1 & 2:16-17, Weiss rejected the traditional SDA view that the law referred to here is the ceremonial law. Based on an examination of the grammar in the original text, he also rejected the common view that the law was abolished. Rather, these verses say that eating, drinking, Sabbaths, etc. are now to be discerned in the body of Christ. So the Sabbath (& circumcision) now have Christian points of reference rather than Old Testament. points of reference. In this way, the Sabbath is Christianized.